Question 1

Administrative supervision occurs when direct-line administrators give direction to counselors who are their:
A) employees, and has the goal of ensuring that counselors are performing their job duties appropriately.
B) determining whether the counselors should receive a pay raise.
C) increasing the counselors' counseling skills.
D) remediating the counselors' clinical deficiencies.
E) endorsing the counselors' applications for licensure.

Accepted Answer

Administrative supervision involves giving direction and oversight to employees to ensure that they are performing their job duties appropriately. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it accurately describes the goal of administrative supervision. Options B, C, D, and E may be considerations within the broader scope of administrative supervision, but they are not the primary goal.

Question 2

With respect to cultural differences in supervision:
A) it is the supervisor's responsibility to initiate discussions of cultural differences with their supervisees.
B) supervision is more likely to be successful if the supervisor and supervisee are culturally similar along multiple dimensions.
C) the worldviews of supervisors are not likely to influence the therapeutic choices made by their supervisees.
D) research has demonstrated that the variable of race in the supervisory dyad has little impact on the supervisory process.
E) supervisors should not broach the topic of cultural differences if they do not feel comfortable and competent to do so.

Accepted Answer

BCultural differences play a significant role in the supervisory relationship. It is the supervisor's responsibility to initiate discussions of cultural differences, as this can enhance understanding and effectiveness in supervision. Additionally, supervision tends to be more successful when the supervisor and supervisee share cultural similarities, as this can facilitate better communication and understanding.

Question 3

When administrative and clinical supervisors give corrective feedback to supervisees, that feedback:
A) must be followed by the supervisee.
B) should be broad and general, avoiding specifics.
C) must be given very gently to avoid distressing the supervisee.
D) should be given only at specified intervals, such as once a month or once a quarter.
E) should be ongoing, coupled with periodic evaluation and opportunities to correct deficiencies.

Accepted Answer

Corrective feedback should be ongoing to allow for immediate and continuous improvement. It should also be coupled with periodic evaluation and opportunities for the supervisee to correct any deficiencies. A, B, C, and D are all incorrect because corrective feedback should not be blindly followed, should be specific, should not avoid necessary feedback, and should be given as frequently as needed, not just at specific intervals.

Question 4

A counselor who is under the clinical supervision of another counselor SHOULD:
A) introduce the supervisor to all clients.
B) inform clients that he or she is in supervision and disclose the name of the supervisor to them.
C) require that clients sign a document indicating they know the counselor is under supervision and that they do not object to the supervisor knowing their personal information.
D) inform clients that he or she is a beginning counselor.
E) avoid telling clients he or she is in supervision so that clients will not be concerned.

Accepted Answer

It is important for clients to know that a counselor is under clinical supervision and who their supervisor is. This promotes transparency and encourages confidence in the counseling process. It also allows clients to voice any concerns they may have to the supervisor directly. Introducing the supervisor to clients (A) and requiring clients to sign a document (C) are not necessary, but informing them of the supervision relationship is important. Telling clients the counselor is a beginning counselor (D) may cause unnecessary concern or doubt in the counselor's abilities. Avoiding telling clients about supervision (E) is unethical and violates the principle of informed consent.

Question 5

Supervision agreements between a clinical supervisor and supervisee:
A) must be in writing to be legal.
B) should not be in writing, to avoid the appearance of a relationship that is too formal.
C) should be in writing so both parties understand the terms of the relationship clearly.
D) are required by federal law to be in writing.
E) can be modified once they begin only if they are in writing.

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that supervision agreements be in writing so both parties have a clear understanding of the expectations and terms of the professional relationship. This can help prevent misunderstandings or disputes from arising. While it may not be legally required in all settings, it is a best practice for clinical supervision.

Question 6

Ethical standards for consultants in the mental health field are:
A) covered extensively in all codes of ethics.
B) given minimal attention in codes of ethics.
C) not needed because consultants rarely face ethical dilemmas.
D) published by an association of mental health consultants.
E) being developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and will soon be published.

Accepted Answer

Ethical standards for consultants in the mental health field are given minimal attention in codes of ethics, as these codes often focus more on direct clinical practice rather than consulting roles.

Question 7

A supervisor is competent if he or she:
A) holds the supervisor certificate offered by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), a corporate affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
B) is a competent counselor.
C) has completed a graduate level course in supervision.
D) is approved to be a supervisor by a state licensing board.
E) can supervise other counselors in a professional and appropriate manner.

Accepted Answer

While options A, C, and D may provide some indication of the supervisor's qualifications, the most important factor is the supervisor's ability to effectively and appropriately supervise other counselors. Therefore, option E is the most relevant and important indicator of competence.

Question 8

Whether or not a supervisor is likely to be held responsible, along with the supervisee, when a supervisee's client commits suicide depends on whether:
A) the supervisor has offered consultation to the supervisee regarding his or her counseling practice on a regular basis.
B) the supervisor has direct control and authority over the supervisee's day-to-day activities.
C) the wording of the supervision contract.
D) the supervisor knew that the supervisee was counseling an at-risk client.
E) the supervisor has professional liability insurance.

Accepted Answer

The supervisor is more likely to be held responsible if they have direct control and authority over the supervisee's day-to-day activities, as this implies a higher level of responsibility and oversight in the supervisee's professional actions.

Question 9

Clinical supervision is the process whereby the work of counselors is reviewed by other mental health professionals, usually with the goal of:
A) ensuring that counselors' services are delivered in a manner that satisfies the counselors' employers.
B) increasing the counselors' effectiveness.
C) increasing the counselors' knowledge of the counseling literature.
D) ensuring that counselors perform their job functions appropriately.
E) helping counselors practice in an ethical manner.

Accepted Answer

The goal of clinical supervision is to increase the counselors' effectiveness by reviewing their work and identifying areas for improvement. It is not primarily about satisfying employers, increasing knowledge of counseling literature, ensuring appropriate job performance, or promoting ethical practice, although these may be secondary goals.

Question 10

If a consultant is not a consultee's administrative supervisor, the consultant:
A) is still responsible for any outcomes related to the consultee taking the consultant's advice.
B) legally would be considered to have control and authority over a consultee, even though the consultant is not the consultee's boss.
C) can avoid liability for any actions of the consultee by purchasing professional liability insurance.
D) can avoid liability for any actions of the consultee by having the consultee sign an agreement that releases the consultant from liability.
E) generally, would not be held legally responsible for actions taken by the consultee based on the consultant's advice.

Accepted Answer

Generally, the consultant would not be held legally responsible for actions taken by the consultee based on the consultant's advice if they are not the consultee's administrative supervisor. However, it is important to note that specific circumstances and any contractual or ethical obligations could potentially impact this general rule.

Question 11

Consultation and supervision are alike in that BOTH:
A) consultants and supervisors serve as gatekeepers to the profession.
B) consultants and supervisors are accountable for the work of the counselors who have sought their services.
C) consultants and supervisors are required to be licensed to provide their services in most states.
D) the consultative and the supervisory relationships are tripartite.
E) consultants and supervisors provide direct services to clients.

Accepted Answer

Both consultation and supervision involve three parties: the consultant or supervisor, the consultee or supervisee, and the client or organization receiving the primary service. This tripartite relationship is a key similarity between consultation and supervision.

Question 12

When a counselor who is working under supervision shares confidential information about clients with her or his supervisor:
A) the counselor is legally responsible if the supervisor inappropriately discloses the confidential information to a third party.
B) privileged communication is destroyed.
C) this is acceptable behavior because the supervisor needs the information in order to supervise effectively.
D) the information should be shared verbally, but not put in writing.
E) the counselor is unethically breaching client confidentiality.

Accepted Answer

Sharing confidential information with a supervisor for the purpose of effective supervision is considered acceptable and ethical within the counseling profession. Supervisors are bound by the same confidentiality agreements and ethical standards as the counselor, ensuring the information is used appropriately to enhance the counseling services provided.

Question 13

If a supervisee is having emotional problems that are interfering with his or her ability to function effectively as a counselor, the clinical supervisor SHOULD:
A) avoid addressing the personal issues in supervision sessions because the focus of clinical supervision should be on the professional services rendered by the supervisee.
B) counsel the supervisee to the degree necessary to resolve the issues so that the counselor can function effectively.
C) immediately refer the supervisee for personal counseling and suspend supervision until the personal issues have been resolved.
D) address the personal issues in relationship to their impact on the supervisee's effectiveness as a counselor but avoid becoming the supervisee's personal counselor.
E) address the personal issues in one session only, and then avoid personal issues in the future.

Accepted Answer

It is important for clinical supervisors to address personal issues that are interfering with a supervisee's ability to function effectively as a counselor, but they should avoid becoming the supervisee's personal counselor. Clinical supervision should focus on the professional services rendered by the supervisee, but personal issues that are impacting the supervisee's ability to perform their duties should also be addressed. The supervisor should help the supervisee to explore how their personal issues are impacting their work and offer support and guidance towards resolving those issues. However, the supervisor should not engage in ongoing personal counseling with the supervisee, and may need to refer them to personal counseling as necessary.

Question 14

A difference between consultation and counseling is that:
A) consultation is a mandated activity, whereas counseling is usually sought voluntarily.
B) consultants provide indirect services to clients, whereas counseling is a direct service.
C) consultation involves a relationship among equals and does not involve a power differential.
D) consultation focuses on work relationships, whereas counseling focuses on personal and interpersonal relationships.
E) confidentiality is not an issue in consultation, while it is a primary concern in counseling.

Accepted Answer

Consultation typically focuses on work-related issues, such as improving organizational functioning or resolving conflicts within a group, whereas counseling focuses on personal and interpersonal issues, such as emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Counseling is often sought voluntarily, while consultation may be mandated or solicited by an organization. In consultation, the consultant typically provides advice and guidance without engaging in a therapeutic relationship, whereas counseling involves a more direct and personal interaction between the counselor and client. While confidentiality may be a concern in both consultation and counseling, it is usually a more pressing issue in counseling, where personal disclosures are more likely to occur.

Question 15

An agreement for clinical supervision between a supervisor and supervisee when the supervisee has an administrative supervisor at a work site SHOULD:
A) ensure that the supervisee understands that the clinical supervisor is the one whose directives must be followed.
B) emphasize the co-equal status of the clinical and administrative supervisors.
C) state that the clinical supervisor defers to the authority of the administrative supervisor.
D) state that the counselor should contact the clinical supervisor if there is an emergency situation at work.
E) be worded in such a manner that the supervisee understands that the clinical supervisor is legally responsible for the counselors' activities during work hours.

Accepted Answer

The agreement should clarify that the clinical supervisor defers to the authority of the administrative supervisor to avoid conflicts and ensure that the supervisee understands the hierarchy and reporting structure at the work site.

Quiz 15: Supervision and Consultation

Administrative supervision occurs when direct-line administrators give direction to counselors who are their:

With respect to cultural differences in supervision:

When administrative and clinical supervisors give corrective feedback to supervisees, that feedback:

A counselor who is under the clinical supervision of another counselor SHOULD:

Supervision agreements between a clinical supervisor and supervisee:

Ethical standards for consultants in the mental health field are:

A supervisor is competent if he or she:

Whether or not a supervisor is likely to be held responsible, along with the supervisee, when a supervisee's client commits suicide depends on whether:

Clinical supervision is the process whereby the work of counselors is reviewed by other mental health professionals, usually with the goal of:

If a consultant is not a consultee's administrative supervisor, the consultant:

Consultation and supervision are alike in that BOTH:

When a counselor who is working under supervision shares confidential information about clients with her or his supervisor:

If a supervisee is having emotional problems that are interfering with his or her ability to function effectively as a counselor, the clinical supervisor SHOULD:

A difference between consultation and counseling is that:

An agreement for clinical supervision between a supervisor and supervisee when the supervisee has an administrative supervisor at a work site SHOULD: